The prequel characters of Sirius and James fit the HP canon better than the Cursed Child sequel, but this fun bit Rowling wrote makes the gap between The prequel characters of Sirius and James fit the HP canon better than the Cursed Child sequel, but this fun bit Rowling wrote makes the gap between this and the start of Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone all the more enticing with nothing to fill the space....more
4 stars, recommended for middle-grade students and all ages who wish for a bit more magic in their lives
“There’s no such thing as normal. Normal to on4 stars, recommended for middle-grade students and all ages who wish for a bit more magic in their lives
“There’s no such thing as normal. Normal to one person is bonkers to another.�
Eccentricity can be magical!
Characters: 9 (out of 10) Young Chloe and middle-aged gentlemen shop owners Ixworth and Maddox may not fit in everywhere, but their bond with one another becomes unbreakable. Chloe finds comfort and encouragement as a respite from school, quickly becoming fascinated with the peculiar but entertaining lives of the magicians. The story’s villain(s) reveal themselves in time, and secondary characters like Chloe’s parents seem believable. Unfortunately, her classmate Iris isn’t developed as a character after being introduced early in the book.
Atmosphere/Settings: 9 The curiosity shop comes to life and creates a whimsical setting, filled with imagination and mystery� fun-filled gadgets and gizmos on display. There’s a hint of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory minus the scary nature of Willy Wonka. Who wouldn’t want to visit this emporium tucked away from Oxford Street and discover a new attraction every time? The London locations of the Mayfair shop, the area streets, and Chloe’s home can be found on current London maps; such detail is always a plus in spite of a handful of typographical errors in this advance copy, possibly fixed before publication. Having spent quite a bit of time in London, I appreciated the accuracy and place names .
Writing Style: 8 Throughout most of the story, the imaginative imagery and figurative comparisons fit the characters who provide them, especially the mind of 11-year-old Chloe in this close third-person narrative. From the climax through the ending, too much explanation limits the action and decreases the hoped-for tension.
Plot: 6 Though the world building is helpful, it lasts a bit too long before the event igniting the main conflict occurs about one-third of the way into the book. Foreshadowing frequently pointed to it, and I would have preferred more of a surprise than a chapter titled “The Disappearance of Mr. Ixworth.� Events are effectively connected, but the climax through resolution creates less suspense than expected.
Intrigue: 7 Started with intrigue and remained interesting, though I can’t say the intrigue increased so that I was completely compelled to keep reading, especially in situations where Maddox conveniently had just the right magical powders/solutions.
Logic: 8 Most of the characters� actions and the situational details seemed credible. Some motives were simplistic or unexplained regarding the world of magicians, though the ending did provide some insight. Two things: one, even with their busy and distracted lifestyles, parents would want to visit the shop at least once to ensure it’s a safe place for Chloe. Two, the brownies are only half explained, obviously loyal to Ixworth, but the plot seems to call for more in their relationship with Maddox.
Enjoyment and Meaning: 8 I hoped for an imaginative story with fun characters. This met those expectations.
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Magic may be found when and where you look for it, including inside yourself.
Respect those who respect you and learn from them regardless of age, young or old.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for the ARC. Opinions expressed are my own.
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